Disclaimer: Don't own Degrassi. 'Nuff said.

Author's Note: So I've been ridiculously busy with school and life, hence the lack of regular updates, but I want to thank you guys for being so patient. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

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Sand Castles
Secret Keeper

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She couldn't concentrate.

Staring at the blackboard, Clare twirled her pen between her fingers lazily as Mr. Perino droned on. Try as she might, she just couldn't bring herself to pay attention to what he was saying. While everyone around her quickly jotted down what he was saying, her notebook remained blank, save for the date she'd scribbled at the top corner of the page at the beginning of class.

When the bell rang, Clare was the first one out the door, clutching her books close as she wandered down the hall. All day, she couldn't stop touching her stomach. She knew she probably wouldn't show for another few months, but she couldn't help it. There was a life growing inside her; an innocent, fragile life that she had helped create.

How was she going to raise a baby? She didn't have a job — she didn't even have her high school diploma yet! How was she going to tell her parents? Clare thought back to earlier that morning, Glen's words echoing in her head. He was trying to be a dad to her, offering her a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on, and while she appreciated it, she doubted he'd know how to handle her situation. She wasn't just being a moody teenager. It wasn't something trivial like what to wear at the school dance or whether a boy liked her or not. She was pregnant, and to make matters even more complicated, the father of her baby was his son — her step-brother. If she told Glen that Jake was involved — that he was the father — he was going to be less than thrilled. Especially when she and Jake were supposed to have broken up before the summer — and they had. What Glen and her mother didn't know was that they'd gotten back together after the wedding, and had since then been sneaking around their parents' backs and lying to their faces.

No. She couldn't tell Glen, and she definitely couldn't tell her mother.

She had to deal with this on her own.

When she arrived at her locker, Clare let out a deep breath as she put her belongings away and grabbed her coat and bag. After a long day that just seemed to drag on for eternity, she was relieved to finally be able to go home. Jake was nowhere in sight, so getting a ride with him wasn't an option. She'd have to take the bus. With a sigh, she began heading toward the back entrance of the school where the buses were parked outside, all the while trying to figure out what she was going to do. She needed a job, that was certain, but she'd never worked a day in her life and she had no experience. Was anyone even hiring? Her mind drifted to the Dot. She could always ask Peter; even though they hadn't spoken in a while, she was sure he'd help her out. Then she remembered that Fitz also worked there, and working with him could be awkward.

Little Miss Steaks? Would they be hiring?

So lost in her own thoughts, Clare didn't even have time to react when she turned the corner, only to collide with someone else. Snapping out of her reverie, she stumbled back with a gasp and, unable to catch herself in time, landed on the floor.

"Whoa, watch it — Clare?" A familiar voice spoke.

Clare glanced up to see Eli standing before her, backpack slung over his shoulder and looking rather horrified.

"Sorry…" She mumbled. "Guess I wasn't paying attention to where I was going…"

"Here, let me help you." Eli insisted, holding out his hand.

Hesitantly, Clare took his hand, letting him help her up. Once she was on her feet, he let her hand go, and for a split second, Clare missed the warmth that it had provided. They stood awkwardly for the next few minutes, not sure what to say. They hadn't really spoken since the cabin trip. She had been far too busy with Jake, neglecting everyone else in her life in favor of her boyfriend, and Eli, it seemed, was busy with his own life. She had seen him hanging around Imogen and Fiona, and since it was his senior year, she knew he was probably getting ready for college as well. Licking her dry lips, she tucked a loose stand of hair behind her ear, her eyes darting around nervously as she struggled to find something to say.

As if reading her mind, Eli spoke. "How are you?"

Clare swallowed hard.

"I'm… fine." She lied, staring past his shoulder.

Eli furrowed his brow. It was obvious that he didn't believe her, but what was she supposed to say? "Oh, Eli, I'm so glad you asked. You see, Jake and I broke up — but that's not even the worst part! I'm also pregnant! What about you?"

"Listen, Clare…" Eli said softly. "I know we don't hang out anymore, but… you can tell me anything. I mean that."

Clare's throat tightened, and it took all her willpower not to break down right then and there.

"I…" she started, only to trail off.

"Come on," Eli said gently, draping a comforting arm over her shoulders and guiding her in the opposite direction.

He led her into school's auditorium. It was empty, but he made sure that they were alone before turning to face her. Clare avoided his penetrating gaze, keeping her eyes on the floor as she sat down. After a few seconds, Eli sighed and sat down beside her. He was patient. He would wait and listen attentively until she was ready to speak, even if it took all day.

"I… I don't know where to start…" She told him, trying to keep her voice steady. "There's… there's so much going on and I'm in a lot of trouble and I… I don't know what to do…"

"It's not… drugs, is it?" Eli asked cautiously. "You haven't gotten involved in any gangs or -"

"No, nothing like that," said Clare, shaking her head. She took a deep breath, clearing her throat. "It's… Jake." Her eyes flickered up to meet Eli's. His face was impassive, but she knew it bothered him whenever she brought up Jake. "We… we broke up."

Eli exhaled slowly, his body relaxing some.

"Is that it?" He asked, giving her a weak smile. When he saw the tears in her eyes, he frowned. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I know you liked… loved," he corrected immediately, the pain in his voice evident, "him a lot."

"I wish it was that simple." Clare whispered, drawing her knees to her chest.

"Now you've lost me." Eli told her.

Clare shook her head, blinking back unshed tears as she fought to tell him her secret.

"Eli… I'm pregnant."

An array of emotions flickered across Eli's face, ranging from shock to anger to hurt, before finally settling on confusion.

"What?" He breathed disbelievingly. "You… with Jake?"

"It was only one time," Clare told him, unable to hold back her tears any longer as they fell freely. "We were just… fooling around and I… I thought he was the one and… and it just happened…" she buried her face between her knees, sobbing hard. When she managed to regain some of her composure, she lifted her head, staring at him with bloodshot eyes and tear-stained cheeks. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry, Eli… you must think I'm some kind of s-slut… f-for ha-having sex with my step-brother…" she managed between sobs.

"Clare… you're not a slut… don't ever say that. You're anything but. You… you thought he was the one," Eli's voice cracked. "And… and that's okay…"

"But I am! I am!" Clare cried. "I'm a cheap, worthless, stupid floozy -!"

"Clare, stop -!" Eli begged, cutting her off.

"What am I gonna do?" Clare whispered frantically. "I'm so scared, Eli!"

Eli took a deep breath, letting everything she'd told him sink in.

"Have you… told Jake?" He asked slowly, trying to stay calm.

"That's why we broke up… he doesn't want anything to do with it…" Clare whimpered. "He… he wanted me to… to get rid of it… but Eli, I couldn't… I can't do that… I can't! I couldn't live with myself if I…" She broke off, placing a protective hand on her stomach. "What am I gonna do, Eli? I… I can't tell my mom… what am I gonna do? I can't do this alone, but… I don't have anyone…"

Eli shook his head firmly, placing his hands on her shoulders.

"You're wrong." He told her. "You have me."

"Eli, no…" Clare protested.

"I'm not gonna let you go through this by yourself." Eli stated.

"E-Eli, you can't… you have to focus on school and-and getting better and -"

"Clare, I've already made up my mind. I'm going to help you."

Clare gazed up at him in awe. "Eli…"

Eli took her hands, squeezing them reassuringly. "Clare, you mean… everything to me. And I'm not going to sit back and let you face this alone. I'm not going to watch you fall."

"Eli…" Her eyes glistened with another round of tears. Wrapping her arms around him, she buried her face in the crook of his neck with a choked sob. "Thank you… thank you… thank you…"

oOo

"Promise me you won't say anything? To anyone?" Clare begged quietly.

When she had finally stopped crying, she'd gone to the bathroom to wash her smeared makeup off her face and fix her hair. She had missed her bus, and since Eli only had his bike, he'd called his dad to come pick them up. The two teens found themselves waiting on the steps outside Degrassi's doors, and at her plead, Eli threw her a disbelieving look.

"What do you take me for?" He asked. "Of course I'm not gonna say anything. Your secret's safe with me." After a pause, he added. "You think Jake might?"

Clare shook her head. "I think he wants to forget that he has any part in this. I don't think I have to worry about him telling the whole school or anything."

Eli nodded slowly, before tilting his head. "What happens when you start to… show?"

Clare sighed.

"I haven't exactly thought that far ahead." She confessed. "Hey, do you know if Little Miss Steaks is hiring?"

Eli shrugged. "No. Why?"

"Well, I kind of need a job if I'm going to be raising a child." She replied, as if it were the most obvious answer in the world.

"Maybe you should just tell your parents. They might be able to help." Eli suggested.

"My mom will kill me, Eli. She threw a fit when I got my ear pierced. If she finds out I'm pregnant -"

"She's going to find out eventually." Eli reminded her.

"Yeah, but by then, hopefully I'll have a job and be able to rent an apartment or something." Clare muttered.

Eli gave her a sympathetic look. "You really think she'd kick you out?"

Clare sighed. "I don't know what she'll do. But I'm not taking any chances."

Before Eli could respond, a familiar Ford Mustang pulled up to the curb. As Clare slowly gathered her belongings, Eli jogged over to the car. She could hear him talking to his dad, but couldn't make out what was being said. All she knew was that Bullfrog didn't sound particularly thrilled. Her stomach sunk as she realized that he and Cece probably hated her for breaking their son's heart. As she watched Eli put his bike into the trunk, she considered declining Eli's offer and just walking home.

"All set?" Eli asked as he made his way over to her.

"Eli, maybe I should just walk -" She started, but Eli interrupted her.

"Don't worry about it." He said calmly, as if knowing exactly what she was worried about.

He gave her a warm smile before leading her over to the car and opening the door for her. After getting in, Eli climbed into the front seat beside his father, reaching over to turn up the radio.

"How are you doin', Clarebelle?" Bullfrog asked gruffly.

"Fine, thank you." Clare answered softly as he pulled out of the school parking lot and began heading to her house.

After a few minutes, she managed to relax, getting lost in the music.

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Well, that's the end of chapter 3. Hopefully you guys enjoyed!

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